Protective hood for crash helmets

ABSTRACT

A hood fits over a crash-helmet, the neck, and part of the shoulders of a person wearing the helmet. A transparent, doublewalled face shield attached to the hood protects the wearer of the crash-helmet.

United States Patent Garbisch 51 May 9,1972

[54] PROTECTIVE HOOD FOR CRASH HELMETS Walter E. Garbisch, 4215 W. Hawthorne Trace, Brown Deer, Wis. 53209 [22] Filed: Mar. 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.1 23,209

[72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl ..2/2, 2/205 [51] Int. Cl ..A41cl3/00 [58] Field of Search ..2/205,204, 203, 2.1, 2.3, 2/5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 172,2, 3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,860,690 5/1932 Rateau ..2/205 2,272,959 2/1942 Van Wormer ..2/205 1,888,909 11/1932 Crosthwait ..2/205X 1,482,270 1/1924 Shuster ..2/205 2,686,317 8/1954 Michaelis ..2/205 3,098,233 7/1963 Hoagland ..2/3 3,458,864 8/1969 Austin et al ..2/202 X 3,239,843 3/1966 Lobelle ..2/6 3,147,489 9/1964 Nelson... .351/62 X 3,067,425 12/1962 Colley ..2/6 3,395,406 8/1968 Smith ..2/8 X Primary l-lraminerJordan Franklin Assistant ExamineF-George H. Krizmanich ArmrneyAlter and Weiss [57] ABSTRACT A hood fits over a crash-helmet, the neck, and part of the shoulders ofa person wearingthe helmet. A transparent, double-walled face shield attached to the hood protects the wearer of the crash-helmet.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 1912 3,660,850

INVENTOR WALTER E. GARBISCH 4%,MWMM

ATTO RN EYS PROTECTIVE HOOD FOR CRASH HELMETS My invention relates to a protective hood for crash-helmets or the like, and more particularly to a device that affords neck and face protection for the wearer of a crash helmet.

An object of my invention is to provide a device that is easily applied over a crash-helmet for the convenience of theuser.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described, that is equipped with a ventilated transparent shield, giving visibility for the user.

The conventional crash-helmet acts as a safety device to avoid scull fracture, or brain injury. Typically, these helmets are worn by motorcyclists, drivers of snowmobiles,-orthe like. However, the usual construction of the standard type of helmet does not provide any protection from cold air entering the helmet. This cold air is a real hazard and inconvenience to the person wearing the helmet. Accordingly, it is a prime object of my invention to provide a hood device that may be easily applied over the entire helmet, for sealing it around the neck and shoulders of the wearer.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1, is a perspective view of the entire hood device equipped with a transparent shield applied thereto;

FIG. 2, is a vertical cross-sectional view of the hood device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, is a vertical cross-sectional view of the hood device, as worn over a conventional crash-helmet shown in phantom; and

FIG. 4, is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a suggested means of attaching the transparent shield onto the hood device. I

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts and features, throughout the several views. In particular, the character 10 shows a head apparel, or hood, affording a complete coverage for a crash-helmet 11 (see FIG. 3). This hood extends downward at 12 and 13 to cover the neck, and the shoulders, respectively, of the wearer.

The hood 10 may be constructed of any soft pliable material such as knitted fabric, leather, or plastic. The neck section 12 and the shoulder section 13 are provided with either one, or a pair of hookless fasteners, as shown at 14. Thus, the hood is applied onto and over the helmet I] so it will follow the shape form and contour of the helmet II, when so applied. Thereafter, the fastener 14 is closed. The fastener 14 provides means whereby the second part can be enlarged for easy removal after use and means to snugly conform the second part to protect a person or that a garment may be worn thereover comfortably in use.

A transparent shield 15 is applied to the open edge 21 of the hood 10. A ridge 16 is on the outer edge of the shield 15. A head 17, of the same shape and contour as the ridge 16, is disposed on the inside (see FIG. 4) of the hood l0. Extending through mating apertures in the ridge 16 and the bead 17 are a plurality of attaching members 18 for clamping the shield 15 in a fixed position onto the hood 10. Obviously, the shield 15, may be attached to the hood 10, in any convenient and efficient manner, depending primarily on the type of material used in the construction of the hood 10.

The shield I is preferably made with a double wall construction to give a thermal insulation and thereby prevent fogging of the shield. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the two walls W1 and W2 of shield 15 are joined together at the edge 16. Also, beyond the edge, these walls are spaced apart by a small distance to provide a dead air space S. The manner of joining and supporting these two walls is'not too important; however, I prefer to make them as a single unit so that the dead air space S may be partially evacuated.

The form and contour of the shield may vary. If desired, a plurality of apertures 19 may pierce a solid space S-l through both walls to provide for air circulation, or ventilation without allowing air to enter the dead air space S. A mouth piece 20 may be hingedly or slidably applied to the shield 15 for the convenience of the user. Again, the attachment is made at a point where the walls are a solid unit.

. said shield. I

From the above description, it will become apparent that the hood device may be applied to any type of crash-helmet. The shield originally forming a part of the crash-helmet 11, may be removed therefrom. It is no longer needed since it will be replaced by the shield IS on the hood 10, when the hood is applied over the helmet. I

The primary purpose of my invention isto provide a protection against the wind and weather when the device is used by the operator of a snowmobile. This type of protection is not provided by the conventional crash-helmet.

The construction of the hood constituting my invention is such that it may be applied over various types of helmets, for the additional protection for which it is intended.

The drawings and written description cover a specific construction, but I am fully aware of the fact that many changes may be made without effecting the operativeness of the device, and I reserve the rights to make such changes as I amy deem necessary without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I clam and desire to secure by letters patent in the United States is:

l. A completely flexible crash helmet-covering hood comprising a first part being generally rounded for snugly covering a person wearing a crash-helmet and a second form fitting part integral therewith for first gradually tapering inwardly from said first part then gradually diverging outwardly for snugly covering the neck and at least part of the shoulders and chest of a person wearing a crash-helmet, the shoulder and chest covering of said second part being shaped to fit under a coat or jacket, means extending upwardly through said second part enlarging the same for easy removal of the hood over a person's head wearing a crash helmet and for constricting the same to snugly embrace a person's neck, shoulders and chest portions, said first part having a-cutout portion in the front thereof defining a continuous edge opening spaced from said means for exposing substantially a complete face of a person, and a bulbous transparent shield secured to and completely covering said edge opening of said cutout portion.

2. The hood of claim I wherein said shield has .a double walled construction for giving a thermal insulation.

3. The hood of claim 2 wherein, said double walled structure has a dead air space therebetween.

4. The hood of claim 3 wherein, said dead air space is at least partly evacuated.

5. The hood of claim 4 wherein, said shield has at least one closeable mouth opening.

.6. The hood of claim 5 and a plurality of aperture means piercing an area of said shield to 7. The hood of claim 6, said pierced area being a solid so that said air does not enter the dead air space.

provide air circulation behind 

1. A completely flexible crash helmet-covering hood comprising a first part being generally rounded for snugly covering a person wearing a crash-helmet and a second form fitting part integral therewith for first gradually tapering inwardly from said first part then gradually diverging outwardly for snugly covering the neck and at least part of the shoulders and chest of a person wearing a crash-helmet, the shoulder and chest covering of said second part being shaped to fit under a coat or jacket, means extending upwardly through said second part enlarging the same for easy removal of the hood over a person''s head wearing a crash helmet and for constricting the same to snugly embrace a person''s neck, shoulders and chest portions, said first part having a cutout portion in the front thereof defining a continuous edge opening spaced from said means for exposing substantially a complete face of a person, and a bulbous transparent shield secured to and completely covering said edge opening of said cutout portion.
 2. The hood of claim 1 wherein said shield has a double walled construction for giving a thermal insulation.
 3. The hood of claim 2 wherein, said double walled structure has a dead air space therebetween.
 4. The hood of claim 3 wherein, said dead air space is at least partly evacuated.
 5. The hood of claim 4 wherein, said shield has at least one closeable mouth opening.
 6. The hood of claim 5 and a plurality of aperture means piercing an area of said shield to provide air circulation behind said shield.
 7. The hood of claim 6, said Pierced area being a solid so that said air does not enter the dead air space. 